Hunt for three men linked to assault outside Springfield shops

POLICE are searching for three men who they believe are linked to the assault of a man at Springfield on Monday.

Taskforce Maxima's Criminal Economy Team is seeking the public's assistance in identifying the men, who were filmed wearing t-shirts with the same distinctive logo.

Police will allege a 24-year-old man was confronted and assaulted on the footpath outside a shopping centre on Main St on Monday.

The man suffered swelling to his face, right elbow and knee and his mobile phone was also damaged.

A 48-year-old Springfield man was charged with assault occasioning bodily harm in company, wilful damage and affray and is due to appear in the Ipswich Magistrates Court on January 6.

Police said the three men (pictured) were also present at the time. It is believed the men have links to a supplements and sportswear store.

They are described as all being of solid build with short dark hair and wearing dark blue t-shirts with the letters "SAS" on them.

Taskforce Maxima Detective Superintendent Michael Niland said a number of supplement stores had come to the attention of police recently.

"In the majority of cases the operators of these stores have been found in possession of steroids for both personal and commercial purposes," he said.

"Taskforce Maxima has found links to criminal motorcycle gang members as a result of this recent attention."

Detective Inspector Phillip Stevens from the Criminal Economy Unit said police were keen to speak with any witnesses to the assault on Monday.

"The victim in this matter was extremely lucky not to have suffered more serious injuries," he said.

"In a time when the community is being made aware that one punch can kill, incidents like these are thoughtless and show a complete disregard to the consequences of one's actions."

Detective Stevens said criminal motorcycle gangs had taken an interest in supplement stores in the past and the Criminal Economy Unit would continue to monitor the relationships between the operators of these stores.

Anyone with information that could assist police should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppers.com.au.